They said they were too old; They said they didn’t have an answer for the athleticism of the rest of the league; They questioned their heart, their talent and their drive, yet somehow the Celtics managed to take the indestructible Miami Heat to seven games in last season’s Eastern Conference Finals.

Now one of their own, Ray Allen, has left the tradition and legacy behind to join Lebron James, Dwyane Wade and their conference rivals in South Beach to chase titles in the sun. Their arch rivals, the Los Angeles Lakers, re-upped for their own quest to match the Celtics in Championship banners by adding two future hall-of-famers in Steve Nash and Dwight Howard. A new franchise to south in Brooklyn is gunning for a shot to end the Celtics dominant hold on the Atlantic Division crown.
If there is one thing you can say about Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Rajon Rondo, it’s that they never lose focus. With their brothers Avery Bradley, Jeff Green and Brandon Bass at their side, and new friends Jason Terry, Courtney Lee and Jared Sullinger hoping to have a big impact, this trio of Boston stars want nothing more to cement their status in Celtics’ lore with another Championship banner.

The journey begins tonight in Miami with the whole country watching. To be the best they have to beat the best. The next 82 games will present Doc Rivers with 82 challenges that will help him prepare his team for their ultimate goal- Supremacy, Legacy, Banner 18.